Integrated ceiling lighting system



1952 J. K. GANNETT ETAL 2,616,533

INTEGRATED CEILING LIGHTING SYSTEM A Tim/ways Patented Nov. 4, 1952UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INTEGRATED CEILING LIGHTING SYSTEM tion ofOhio Application August 12, 1948, Serial No. 43,904

'5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to buildings and more particularly to novelbuilding construction suitable for use in various kinds of buildings andby which :a lighting fixture system is integrated into the buildingstructure. The novel building construction herein disclosed is animprovement over that disclosed in related copending application SerialNo. 733,472 filed March 10,, 1947.

The copending applicationjust mentioned discloses building constructionin which beams supported by spaced frame members .are in the form ofdownwardly-opening trough-shaped metal load-carrying members and certain.of such beams have light producing and reflecting means built thereintoso .that these particular beams serve the dual purposecf carryingbuilding loads and forming lighting fixtures. In the improved buildingconstruction herein disclosed certain important advantages are realizedby incorporating the light producing and reflecting means into .suchdownwardly-opening trough-shaped beams as preformed trough-typedown-lighting fixtures, preferably having their .own raceways for thecurrent supply wires, and which preformed fixtures are assembled intothe .beams in recessed relation. The preformed fixtures are preferablyassembled into the trough-shaped beams before the beams have beeninstalled in the building a-lthough, if desired, the fixtures can beassembled into the beams after the latter have been installed in thebuilding or .after the beams have been installed and a ceiling structureattached thereto.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novellighting fixture system which is integrated into the building structureand in Which downwardly-Opening troughshaped beams forming an integralpart of such structure .and adapted to carry building loads, havepreformed trough -type down-lighting fixtunes housed therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel buildingconstruction in which spacedapart trough-shaped beams supported at theirends by spaced building frame members carry a ceiling, such as anacoustical ceiling, and have their trough recesses opening downwardlythrough the ceiling .and in which preformed trough-type down-lightingfixtures are assembled into said beams in recessed relation to theceiling.

A further object is to provide novel building construction of thecharacter mentioned in which open-ended trough-shaped beams disposed ina row with their adjacent ends in substantially abutting relation definea substantially longitudinally continuous downwardly-opening troughrecess and preformed trough-type downlighting fixture units assembled inend-to-end relation form a substantially continuous downlighting fixturein the longitudinally continuous trough recess.

The invention can be further briefly summarized as consisting in certainnovel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described andparticularly set out in the claims hereof.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings,

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view showing building constructionembodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section taken longitudinally of thetrough-shaped beams substantially as indicated by line 2--2 of Fig. 1,and

Fig. 3 is another partial vertical section taken transversely of .one ofthe trough-shaped beams as indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The accompanying drawings show the invention embodied in buildingconstruction I!) of the type having laterally spaced supports or framemembers which, in this instance, are in the form of trusses II havingvertically spaced top and bottom chords Ila and llb. The buildingconstruction here shown includes a ceiling H which, as hereinafterdescribed, may be an acoustical ceiling. In accordance with a feature ofmaior importance in the present invention the improved buildingconstruction also includes downwardly-opening trough-shaped beams [3which are carried by the frame members I l and constitute a part of alighting fixture system which is integrated into the buildin structure.The lighting fixture system also includes preformed trough-type down-lihting fixtures M assembled into some or all of the beams 13, as ex-:plained in greater detail hereinafter. The trough-shaped beams !3 alsoconstitute the sole support for the ceiling I2. Although thetroughshaped beams l3 are here shown as being supported by the trussesll they could. of course, be supported instead by suitable buildingwalls of masonry or other construction.

As shown in the drawings the beams G3 are in the form ofdownwardly-opening trough-shaped metal members which are supported attheir ends only by the frame members II and span the spaces betweenpairs of such frame members. These trough-shaped beams are disposed inlaterally spaced rows with the beams of each row in longitudinalalignment with each other and with their ends in substantially abuttingrelation. Each of the beams I3 provides a downwardly-opening troughrecess I and for each row of beams these downwardly opening recessesform a substantially longitudinally continuous downwardly-openinghousing recess.

The trough-shaped beams I3 constitute load carrying members which, inaddition to carrying the lighting fixtures it, are capable of carryingvery substantial building loads such as that represented by the ceilingI2 shown in this instance. As further indicating the load carryingcapacity of the trough-shaped beams I3, it is pointed out that the spacebetween pairs of the frame members II which is spanned or bridged by thebeams may be twenty feet, although this distance may vary in differentbuilding structures and may be more or less than twenty feet. The beams,or rows of beams, can be spaced apart a distance of from two feet to tenfeet or more depending upon the number of lighting fixtures desired andupon the building load to be carried by these beams. The spacing of thetrough-shaped beams can of course be varied to suit diiferent buildingstructures and requirements.

In the above-mentioned feature of major importance the trough-shapedbeams I3 constitute housings for the preformed lighting fixtures I4which are assembled therein in recessed relation.

have been installed and the ceiling I2 attached 1 thereto. Some or allof the trough-shaped beams I3 can be used in the lighting fixturesystem. Fig. 1 shows alternate rows of the beams I3 being used to housethe preformed lighting fixtures I4 while the intermediate rows of beamsI3a are initially left empty but can have similar lighting fixturesassembled thereinto at some subsequent time.

As already stated in a general way, the beams I3 comprise elongatedtrough-shaped members and as shown in Fig. 3 each of these beams mayhave a substantially flat longitudinal top wall I6 and a pair ofsubstantially fiat depending side walls I? which are formed integralwith the top wall I6 and extend downwardly therefrom in slightlydiverging relation. The side walls I! are provided at their lower edgeswith longitudinally extending outturned flanges I8 whose outer edgesconstitute longitudinally extending upturned flanges l9. The side wallsI1 of the beams I3 are provided with. longitudinally extending internalshoulders or ledges which can be formed by angle bars which are weldedor otherwise secured to the side walls. At longitudinally spaced pointsthe beams I3 are provided with cross bars 2I which are bolted orotherwise secured to the longitudinal angle bars 20 and constitutesupports on which the lighting fixtures I 4 are mounted in the mannerhereinafter explained.

As mentioned above the trough-shaped beams I3 are supported at theirends only by the frame members I I and span the spaces between pairs ofthese frame members, the beams being otherwise unsupported and beingsufficiently rigid to carry the loads imposed thereon by the ceiling I2and the lighting fixtures I4 without an objectionable amount ofdeflection. The beams extend in a direction transversely to the framemembers and have their ends suitably connected with the lower chordsIII). In this instance the beams are located beneath the bottom chordsIIb and have their adjacent ends connected to one of the chords by meansof clips 22 which are bolted to the top walls I6 of the beams andoverlap the bottom flanges 23 of the chord.

The ceiling I2 may be of a conventional con struction which includessuitable mounting bars 24 extending transversely of the trough-shapedbeams I3 and connected to the flanges I8 of the latter as by means ofthe screws 25. The bars 24 can be of any suitable type, and as shown inFig. 2, may comprise bars of a sheet metal construction having asubstantially chanel-shaped cross-section. Any one of variouscommercially available forms of bars of this type can be used. Theceiling I2 also includes a substantially continuous wall or backing 26formed of plasterboard or plastered metal lath and attached to the bars2 5.

When the backing 26 is formed of plastered metal lath the metal lath canbe wired or otherwise secured to the bars 24 and when this backing isformed of plasterboard the plasterboard can be attached to the bar 24 bynails or other suitable mechanical fasteners. The outer layer or facing21 of the ceiling I2 can be any suitable facing or coating material,such as a layer of finished plaster or acoustical plaster, butpreferably comprises preformed acoustical tiles having numerous soundabsorbing openings 21a therein and which are suitably attached to thebacking 26 as by being cemented in place or connected to the backing bymeans of screws or other mechanical fasteners.

Since the trough-shaped beams I3 are incorporated into the buildingstructure so as to constitute fixed load carrying elements thereof, theceiling I2 can be attached to these beams as a part of the usualbuilding construction work. In the case of the beams I3a which are notto be used for housing lighting fixtures, the ceiling I2 including thebars 24 can extend in continuous relation across the beams so as toconceal the beam and close the trough recesses thereof as shown inFig. 1. In the case of those beams or rows of beams which are used tohouse lighting fixtures, the ceiling I2 terminates at the side walls I!of the beams so that the longitudinally continuous trough recessesprovided by such rows of longitudinally aligned beams open downwardlythrough the ceiling as longitudinally continuous slots.

The lighting fixtures I 4 which are assembled into the trough-shapedbeams I3 are preformed lighting fixtures of the down-lightingtrough-type. These fixtures are in the form of prefabricated units I 4aof an appropriate length for convenient handling in installing the sameinto the beams. When the fixture units I la are assembled in the beamsthe units are preferably disposed in endto-end relation as shown in Fig.2 so that the assembled units constitute a substantially longitudinallycontinuous lighting fixture I4. The adjacent ends of each pair of suchfixture units can be connected together by a suitable preformed couplingmember Mb into which the ends of the units telescopingly engage as shownin Fig. 2.

Each of the preformed lighting fixture units Ilia comprises an elongateddownwardly-opening trough-shaped reflector portion 28 and alongitudinally continuous hollow quadrangular upper or body portion 29.The hollow upper portion 29 provides a substantially continuouslongitudinal raceway 3B in which the current supply wires are located.The reflector 28 extends in depending relation to the the hollow upperportion 29 and can be formed by integral extensions of the side walls ofsuch hollow portion. The fixture units i ia also include suitable lamps5i and appropriate sockets 32 for mounting the lamps. The lamps 3| canbe provided in suitable number, such as the three lamps shown in thisinstance in each of the fixture units, and are preferably of thefluorescent type. The sockets 32 are suitable supported in the fixtureunits so as to extend below the bottom wall 28a; of the hollow upper boxportion 29 and are connected with the current supply wires located inthe raceway 3B. The raceway 30 may also contain a ballast device orother suitable mechanism 33 which may be needed in connection with theoperation of the lamps 3| when the latter are of the fluorescent type.

The reflector portion 2'8 of the lighting fixture units Ma is providedat the sides thereof with outturned longitudinal flanges 34 adapted toengage and overlap the facing 2? of the ceiling l2 so as to cooperatewith the ceiling in providing a neat and finished appearance when thefixture units have been assembled into the troughshaped beams 13. Thefixture units l-id are preferably supported in the beams 13 by beingsuspended from the cross bars 2 i. For this purpose connecting bolts 35can be used and are so located that when the bolts are tightened theoutturned flanges 34 will be drawn upwardly into engagement with thefacing 21 of the ceiling I2. The

longitudinal edge portions of the reflectors 28 also cooperate withportions of the couplings Mb in forming a quadrangular frame 36 at theopening of each fixture unit i ia for mounting a lightdillusing screenor cover 3'! in a position extending across the opening of the fixtureunit. The screen 3'! can be made of glass, plastic or any other suitabletranslucent or transparent sheet material and may have a suitable rim31a extending therearound. The screen 3? is adapted to seat in or on theframe 35 and can be secured to the fixture unit as by means of suitablylocated hinges or by screws or other suitable mechanical fasteners (notshown) extending through the rim 31a and engaging the frame 3'6.

The lighting fixture units Hid will usually be assembled in thetrough-shaped beams it in a continuous row and in the end-to-endrelation mentioned above, but in some cases the fixture units may beassembled in one or more of the beams in a spaced-apart relation and thenumber of fixture units assembled in a beam may vary from a singlefixture unit to a full-row of such units. Usually the end unit of a rowof the fixture units I la will have its outer end located at or adjacentan end 13b of the trough-shaped beam l3 but this is not necessarybecause the units can be located or shifted along the beam as may befound convenient and, if found desirable or convenient, one of the unitscan span the joint formed by the meeting ends 53b of a pair of alignedbeams. To permit the assembly of the lighting fixture units Ma into thetrough-shaped beams l3 at any desired longitudinal point, the angle bars26 may have holes 29a therein at relatively closed spaced intervals, forexample one foot intervals, so that the cross bars 2| can be readilyshifted along the beams to the point or points Where the fixture unitsare to be located.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings it will nowbe readily understood that this invention provides an improved form ofbuilding construction in. which loadcarrying trough-shaped metal beamsform housing for preformed lighting fixture units of the trough-shapeddown-lighting type and provide a means by which a lighting fixturesystem can be integrated into the building structure with the lightingfixtures recessed thereinto. It will also be seen that this inventionprovides an improved construction in which the trough-shaped beamsforming the housing for the recessed lighting fixtures also constitutethe sole support for the ceiling and thus eliminate the need for thevery complex structures heretofore employed for supporting a ceiling andits associated lighting fixtures. While the invention has been disclosedherein as being embodied in building construction which includes aceiling, it should be understood that the ceiling can be omitted ifdesired.

Although the improved building construction provided by this inventionhas been illustrated and described herein to a detailed extent, it willbe understood of course that the invention is not to be regarded asbeing correspondingly limited in scope but includes all changes andmodifications coming within the terms of the claims hereof.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In building construction, a plurality of relatively widely spacedframe members, a ceiling structure forming a substantially continuoussurface below said frame members, a plurality of spaced-apart beamsextending in a direction transverse to said frame members and supportedsolely at their ends by a pair of said frame rnem bers, said beamscomprising downwardly-opening load-carrying metal trough members havingtheir trough recesses opening downwardly through said surface, saidtrough members having outturned lateral flanges extending along theirlongitudinal edges, bars extending between and supported by the lateralflanges of pairs of said beams and forming a support for said ceilingstructure, preformed trough-type down-lighting fixtures housed in saidtrough members, said fix tures having outturned lateral flangesextending along their longitudinal edges in overlapping relation to saidceiling structure, and connecting means supporting said fixtures in saidtrough members and being adjustable for relatively positioning saidfixtures to locate the lateral flanges thereof substantially in theplane of said sunface.

2. In a building having a metal frame struc- 1 ture, pairs of relativelywidely spaced load-carrying frame members forming a part of said framestructure, a plurality of spaced-apart rows of longitudinally alignedbeams spanning the spaces between pairs of said frame members with theindividual beams of said rows supported solely at their ends by pairs ofsaid frame members, said beams comprising open-ended load-carryingdownwardly-opening metal trough members having spaced side walls anddisposed with the adjacent open ends of the beams of each rowsubstantially in abutting engagement so that the beams of each rowdefine a substantially longitudinally continuous downwardly-openingtrough recess, preformed trough-type down-lighting fixture units locatedin said beams in end-to-end relation and forming substantiallylongitudinally continuous down-lighting means in the longitudinallycontinuous trough recesses, means mounted on said side walls and formingsubstantially longitudinally continuous supporting shoulders internallyof said beams, and means suspending said fixture units from saidshoulders including cross bars spanning said shoulders at longitudinallyspaced points and shiftable along said shoulders for locating saidfixture units in said end-to-end longitudinally continuous relation insaid trough recesses.

34 In building construction, a plurality of pairs of relatively widelyspaced frame members, an acoustical ceiling structure forming asubstantially continuous surface below said frame members, a pluralityof spaced-apart rows of longitudinally aligned beams spanning the spacesbetween pairs of said frame members with the individual beams of saidrows supported solely at their ends by pairs of said frame members, saidbeams comprising open-ended load-carrying meta1 trough members disposedwith the adjacent open ends of the beams of each row substantially inabutting relation so that the beams of each row define a substantiallylongitudinally continuous trough recess opening downwardly through saidsurface, preformed trough-type down-lighting fixture units located inend-to-end relation in said beams to form substantially longitudinallycontinuous down-lighting fixtures in the longitudinally continuoustrough recesses, said fixture units having outturned longitudinallateral flanges extending in overlapping relation to said surface, andmeans connecting said fixture units with said beams and being adjustablefor moving the units upwardly into said beams so as to draw said flangesagainst said surface.

4. In a building having a metal frame structure, spaced building membersconstituting a part of said frame structure and forming a pair ofrelatively widely spaced load supports, a beam spanning the spacebetween said building members and being supported thereby at its endsonly, said beam comprising a downwardly-opening load-carrying metaltrough member having spaced side walls, means mounted on said side Wallsand forming substantially longitudinally continuous supporting shouldersinternally of said beam, a plurality of preformed trough-typedown-lighting fixture units disposed in substantially end-abuttingrelation and forming a substantially continuous down-lighting meansextending longitudinally in the trough recess of said beam, andconnecting means connecting said fixture units with said shoulders so asto be supported thereby in said trough recess.

5. In building construction, a plurality of pairs of relatively widelyspaced frame members, an acoustical ceiling structure forming asubstantially continuous surface below said frame members, a pluralityof spaced-apart rows of longitudinally aligned beams spanning the spacesbetween pairs of said frame members with the individual beams of saidrows supported solely at their ends by pairs of said frame members, saidbeams comprising open-ended load-carrying metal trough members disposedwith the adjacent open ends of the beams of each row substantially inabutting relation so that the beams of each row define a substantiallylongitudinally continuous trough recess opening downwardly through saidsurface, preformed trough-type down-lighting fixture units located inend-to-end relation in said beams forming substantially longitudinallycontinuous down-lighting means in the longitudinally continuous troughrecesses, said fixture units having outturned longitudinal lateralflanges extending in overlapping relation to said surface, internalshoulders substantially longitudinally coextensive with said alignedbeams and mounted on the side walls thereof forming a longitudinallycontinuous support in said longitudinally continuous trough recess, andmeans suspending said fixture units from said support including crossbars spanning said shoulders at longitudinally spaced points andshiftable along said shoulders for locating said fixture units in saidend-to-end longitudinally continuous relation in said trough recess.

JOSEPH K. GANNETT. BROWN W. SAVELAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,997,168 Davison Apr. 9, 19352,003,342 Cavanaugh June 4, 1935 2,221,001 Lucius Nov. 12, 19402,232,499 Waterbury Feb. 18, 1941 2,291,489 Naysmith July 28, 19422,291,490 Naysmith July 28, 1942 2,338,521 Levy Jan. 4, 1944 2,376,715Naysmith May 22, 1945 2,436,635 De Bishop, Jr Feb. 24, 1948 2,516,660Versen July 25, 1950

